Key pad for wind musical instruments



Dec. 28 1926.

1 1,611,993 F. A. BUESCHER KEY PAD FOR WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed Dec. 9. 1924 Patented Dec. 28, 1926.

UNITED STATES FERDINAND A. BUESCHER, OF ELKHART, INDIANA.

KEY PAD FOR WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Application filed December 9, 1924. Serial No. 754,819.

This invention relates to key pads for wind musical instruments and proposes the construction of a pad of the glued-in type having means for restraining the tendency 5 of the pad to bulge at the center when clampened by the moisture of respiration, an inherent fault of glued-in. pads as heretofore constructed, and which spoils the tone of the instrument by causing the central portion of the pad to extend into and partially obstruct the valve opening with which the pad is associated.

Another object of the invention is to pro" vide means for condensing the felt or other yielding material of the pad in the peripheral portions thereof so as to improve its seating qualities.

Other objects of the invention will presently appear.

In my Patent No. 1,401,872, granted Dec. 2?, 1921, is disclosed a replaceable pad in which glue is not used, the pad being secured to the key in a quickly attachable or detachable manner by means such as a snap fasteningz; incidentally another advantage is found in the construction disclosed in said patent in that the snap fastening includes a headed element extending through an aperture in the pad, with the headed portion thereof compressing the central part of the pad and thereby preventing its bulging.

Chiefly through innate conservatism a great many musicians still prefer to use a pad of the glued-in type, and the present invention 5 is promulgated with. a view to giving them the advantages accruing from the use of a centrally positioned bulge-restraining member wl'iile relieving them of the need of using a pad of the quick replaceable type.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a plan View of the key of a wind musical instrument furnished with a pad embodying the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a cross section through the key tampion, pad and the opening with which it is associated, the parts being shown in open relation.

Figure 3 is a similar view with the parts in closed relation.

Figures 4 and 5 are sectional views showing open and closed positions of an old style glued-in pad indicating the ob ect10nable bulge acquired through absorption of moisture by the pad.

Referring now in detail to the several figures, the numeral 1 represents the key tainpion which in the pre. lit illustrative embodiment happens to be that of a saxophone and therefore cup shaped, usual. The pad consists of a yielding compressible disk or felt or other suitable material backed by a substantially rigid plate 3, yin'cfcrably mctallic and covered with a facing of kid skin or the like and which is turned over the peripheral edge of the plate 3 and drawn by a thread stitched around the peripheral edge of the kid skin.

There is nothing unusual or novel in the construction in so far as it has been described, but for the purpose of restraining the tendency to bulge of the middle portion of the pad, said p including the kid skin, disk, and plate 3, perforatr-zd, and a securing member 6, formed of a head and a shank, which may be a rivet, is introduced through said urforaiicn. and with the head of the member (3 bearing compressively against the central portion of the outer face of the disk 2 whereby when the member 6 secured in position the central portion of the pad will be tightly compressed to pro vide for it being permanently of less thick ness than the remaining portion of the pad. The head of the member 6 is of appropriate thinness, of materially greater diameter than the diameter of the shank, of segmental contour in cross section and has its inner face fiat throughout. The inner end of the shank of the member 6 which protrudes beyond the plate 8 may be secured in any suitable manner as by riveting or turning it over against said plate. Not only does the duplex headed member prevent bulging of the pad in the middle but it presses out the yielding material of the pad into the pe ripheral portions thereof compressing it and improving its seating quality. The pad is applied to the key tampion in the usual manner, by placing a little glue along the annular portion of the kid skin which overlaps the plate 3 and then pressing the pad into place within the tampion.

While I have here shown what I believe to be a simple and efficient form of the invention it is to be understood that numer ous alterations in the details of construction such as may be developed through the exigencies of use may be resorted to without transcending the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having described my invention what I ill) said shank having its ends provided With means clamping;- against the inner and outer faces of the pad to maintain the central portion of the latter unoer a permanent state of compression and to prevent the central portion of the outer face of the pad from bulging With respect to the remaining portion of said outer face.

2. In a key-pad for Wind musical instruments, a tampion, a compressible pad therefor secured thereto, and a pad compressing element including a shank extending centrally through said pad ancthaving its'ends provided with means clamping. against the inner and outer faces of the pad to maintain the central portion of the latter under a permanent state of compression and to prevent the central portion of the outer face of the pad from bulging with respect to the remaining portion of said outer face, said means at the ends of the shank being in the form of heads, the head at the outer end of the shank being of appropriate thinness, of segmental contour in cross section and hav ing a flat inner face.

3. In a key-pad for Wind musical instruments, a tampion, a compressible pad therethe shank of for secured thereto, and a pad compressing element including a shank extending centrally through said pad and having its ends provided with means clamping against the inner and outer faces of the pad to maintain the central portion of the latter under a permanent state of compression and to prevent the. central portion of the outer face of the pad from bulging with respect to the r n'iainingv portionv of said outerface, said means at the ends. of the shank being in the form of. heads, the head at the outer end of greater diameter than the heat t the inner, end or the shank, said head at the outer end of the shank positioned inwardly and outwardly \v'th respect to that portion of the outer face of the pad free of ccntactwith the-inner face of such head.

l. in a-key-pad for Wind musical instruments, a tampion, a compressible pad therefor secured thereto, and a pad compressing element including a shank extending centrally throue lrsaid pad and having its ends providedwith means clamping against the inner and outer faces of the pad to maintain the central portion of the latter under a permanent state or compression and to prevent the central portion of the outer face of the pad from bulging with respect to the rereaming portion of said outer face, the

clamping means at the outer end of the shank being of greater area than the clamping means at the inner end of the shank.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

FERDINAND A; BUESGHER. 

